The Ecological Assessment identifies that the northern parcel contains two Local Wildlife Sites; Purnell's Brook Woodland and Purnell's Brook Meadow which was surveyed and designated in 2018 by the Local Wildlife Sites Team.
The meadow is thought to be a degraded example of MG4 flood meadow. This type of grassland is extremely rare nationally and locally and would potentially qualify as a habitat of principle importance under section 41 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (2006). This habitat should be protected and enhanced as part of any development proposal in this area.
Whilst the consultation text refers to the LWSs, they are not shown on the Landscape Assessment informing the draft concept masterplan. Nor have the LWSs been retained and protected within either proposed concept masterplan.
We therefore strongly object to this site allocation as it doesn't appear that the LWSs can be retained. Local Wildlife Sites are of at least county value and should be protected as part of the planning process. They are core components of our ecological network/ Nature Recovery Network.